On Lowestoft Naval Memorial is the name of LT/JX 265373 Leading Seaman John Dent Taylor serving on H.M. Trawler Orfasy with the Royal Naval Patrol Service who died 22/10/1943.

The son of Thomas and Mary Ann Taylor, of Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland and the husband of Una Taylor.

In St Bartholomew’s Churchyard is a family headstone which reads:-

Memories of
Thomas Taylor
Dearly beloved husband of
Polly (nee Dent)
Died Jan. 6th 1963
Aged 63 years

Also the above
Polly
Died Jan. 21st 1982
Aged 79 years

Also John Taylor R.N.
Who was lost at sea
Oct. 22nd 1943 Aged 22 years

Till we meet again

There is another family headstone which reads:

In
Loving memory
of
John J.B. Dent
Beloved son of
John J. & Mary E. Dent
Of Newbiggin
Who died May 3rd 1918
Aged 17 years

Short was my race long is my rest
God took me when he thought best
My time was come in a moment fell
and had not time to bid you all farewell

Also the above
Mary E. Dent
Died Mar 25th 1957 aged 80 years

Also the above
John J. Dent
Died Jan 31st 1961 aged 86 years

LDG/ Seaman
John D. Taylor R.N.
Grandson of
John J and Mary E. Dent
Lost at sea off
West African Coast
Oct. 22 1943 aged 22 years.

During the night on the 21st October 1943 the Litiopa heard twice that depth charges were dropped by her sole escort, HMS Orfasy (T 204) (Lt Skipper G.A. Whichello, DSC, RNR), but then a heavy explosion nearby shook the tanker. At 23.53 hours, the trawler had been hit by one torpedo from U-68, commanded by Kapitnleutnant Albert Lauzemis, exploded and sank with all hands about 185 miles southeast of Freetown. The U-boat later sunk the tanker with gunfire after missing with several torpedoes.

John Dent Taylor is remembered at Newbiggin by the Sea on N10.04,  N10.13 and N10.14 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.